What Sand Should You Use for Chicken Coop Bedding? The Only Guide You Need

When it comes to chicken coop bedding, sand is one of the best options. Sand offers many benefits over other bedding types like straw or wood shavings. It’s easy to clean, controls odors, drains well, and gives chickens a place to dust bathe. However, not all sands are created equal when it comes to chicken coops. The type of sand you use makes a big difference.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about putting sand in the chicken coop. Find out where to buy the right sand, how much you need, and how to keep it in good shape. We’ll also talk about the pros and cons so you can choose if sand is the best bedding for your flock.

What Are the Benefits of Using Sand in the Chicken Coop?

There are many great reasons to use sand for your coop bedding:

• Easy to clean Sand allows droppings to sit on the surface, making daily cleaning a breeze Just scoop out poop and your coop stays fresh

• Odor control: Sand doesn’t absorb smells like other bedding. The poop dries out faster, reducing ammonia odor.

• Drainage: Sand drains well, keeping the coop drier. This helps control bacteria and makes cleaning easier.

• Chickens can take a dust bath right in the sand in their coop. This keeps them clean and healthy.

• Temperature regulation: Sand cools coops in summer and provides insulation in winter due to its high thermal mass.

• Low cost: A one-time sand purchase saves money over regular new bags of shavings or straw.

• Natural As descendants of jungle fowl, sand is a natural substrate familiar to chickens

With sand bedding, you get a drier, cleaner coop and happy, healthy chickens. It’s an ideal litter for your flock.

What Type of Sand is Best for Chicken Coops?

Not all sand is suitable for chicken coops. The wrong sand can cause issues. Here are the best sand options:

• Medium- to coarse-grained sand is excellent for coops. Look for grains approximately 0.5 mm in size or slightly larger. Sand with some larger pebbles mixed in works very well.

• Washed river sand also makes good bedding as long as it’s not too fine. Sifting removes small sharp debris.

• Construction sand is a great choice, but avoid super coarse blends with large pebbles.

• All-purpose sand with the right texture drains well. Avoid bagged sand from big box stores.

The most important factors are:

• Mix of grain sizes with medium to coarse grains

• Allows drainage and air circulation

• Not dusty or powdery when dry

Avoid fine sands: Play sand, landscaping sand, and beach sand are too powdery. They clump together when wet and don’t allow drainage. The dust also poses respiratory risks to chickens.

The right sand keeps your coop clean and dry without endangering your flock. Carefully inspect sand before purchasing.

Where Can You Buy Sand for Chicken Coops?

Skip the sand bags at hardware stores. For coops, visit local quarries and gravel companies. Tell them you need medium construction-grade sand. If unsure what you need, show a photo of the desired sand.

Buying sand takes some legwork, but gravel companies are your best source. You may pay more upfront, but sand bedding saves money long-term over repeatedly buying straw or shavings.

If buying in bulk, make sure to see the sand in person before purchasing. Work with the gravel company to find the perfect blend.

How Much Sand Do You Need for Chicken Coop Bedding?

The amount of sand needed depends on coop size and desired depth. As an estimate:

• For a 10 x 10 ft coop at 4-5 inch depth, you’ll need about 3-4 cubic yards of sand

• For an 8 x 12 ft coop at 6 inch depth, plan on 2-3 cubic yards

Let your gravel company look at your coop dimensions and quote the amount. Buy a little extra to be safe. Consider buying double the needed amount—you can use the extra to swap out old sand after a year of use.

How Do You Add and Maintain Sand in the Chicken Coop?

Here are tips for setting up and caring for sand bedding:

• Add 4-6 inches of sand inside the coop and 2-4 inches in outside runs

• Use a shovel to distribute sand evenly across the floor

• Scoop droppings daily or weekly to keep the coop clean

• Stir sand regularly to prevent compaction

• Add fresh sand as needed if the bedding gets too dirty

• Plan to replace the sand every 6-12 months for best sanitation

With regular scooping and occasional topping off, sand bedding stays fresh with little work. Proper maintenance keeps your chickens healthy.

What Are the Drawbacks of Sand Bedding?

While sand makes an exceptional litter for chickens, there are some potential downsides:

• Sand is heavy and difficult to move in large amounts

• Buying in bulk may be pricier upfront than other bedding types

• Can’t be used for compost or the deep litter method

• Fine sand gets dusty, causing respiratory issues (medium and coarse sand avoids this)

• Must keep coop fully enclosed to prevent rain-soaked sand (causes mold)

• Requires daily/weekly cleaning; can’t be left for months untouched

As long as you use the right sand and keep the coop clean and dry, these disadvantages are easy to overcome. Overall, sand is an ideal bedding for flock health and easy coop maintenance.

Is Sand Litter Right for Your Chicken Coop?

If you need excellent drainage, odor control, and an easy-clean coop, sand is likely the best choice. For those willing to do regular scooping, sand bedding leads to drier, healthier chickens and cleaner eggs. Take time to find the perfect sand, and your birds will reap the benefits.